Friday, August 19, 2011

How I am bored of windows and other stories

I landed in Atlanta, Georgia, the USA on the tenth of this month. The world's "best" nation is turning out to be a bit of an anti-climax. It's 32 C outside and as humid as Chennai. There's garbage flying around, homeless people lounging about and asking you for money, and thugs out to mug you. So, there you are, I am living the American dream.

Al-right, it's not bad. Most people are really nice and helpful, they're always smiling, polite and greet you whenever they make eye contact with you. I've been here for a week, and here's what I have observed:

Culture shock is overrated. I've seen a lot of westerners walking around in each other's arms, wearing extremely short shorts and talking loudly about sex, but that doesn't bother me one bit. It's only when I see the Indians do that, that it becomes a bit of a shock. It's sad really. It doesn't suit them.

Jet lag is underrated. All this nonsense of sleeping it off one good night is humbug. I'm still finding myself drifting off at 3 in the afternoon for no reason.

The Indians who are joining with you suddenly spout fake accents. They start speaking like they've lived here all their life. Of course, they aren't as bad as the ABCDs (American Born Confused Desis). These are the ones who deliberately ignore other desis and make desperately dumb attempts to integrate themselves into American society properly. You might think they'd have given up by now, given that they've not managed to do that for more than twenty years. However, they insist on persisting.

All the dumbest desi girls invariably end up in your college. They are either idiots, or vetthu scene parties. Or both. And anal-retentive to moot. I know one that said: I want to go for a mac because I am bored of windows. $1500 is not costly!

Indians always have the affinity towards other's culture, things and habitat. They are good in mimicking it as their own. It is really nice to be adaptable,but accepting others without losing our originality is what needed in present. Hope you will agree with me.

You are right about the statement "It's only when I see the Indians do that, that it becomes a bit of a shock. It's sad really. It doesn't suit them." Exactly my feelings - when I saw all this the first time(even now though).A few years down the line you will integrate..easier for you as you are younger.We Indians are lucky as we can experience the best of both cultures and balance our priorities .Keep writing- was great reading the post.Had me in splits!Aruna maami